Free New Year’s Eve Concert
In Memory of BIll McCrone
(December 28, 1946 – February 7, 2021)
“It is with great regret that the Old Monterey Foundation must acknowledge the passing of a truly great and committed Monterey citizen, Willard (Bill) McCrone. Bill was involved in many civic and charitable organizations, too many to mention, providing his unique perspectives. Bill was a long time member of the City’s Park and Recreation Commission as well as the Planning Commission. As a Planning Commissioner, he became aware of the Master Plan for the Lower Presidio Historic Park.
When Bill became a member of the Old Monterey Foundation, he became the driving force on developing this beautiful scenic park in accordance with the Master Plan. He worked with Frank Sollecito, Ellen Martin and others on getting funding from the Neighborhood Improvement Program, the Community Foundation and a host of other groups for the physical improvements. The beautiful sign on Pacific Street, the replacement of the chain link fence with the wooden fence, the many historic signs, the 2 scenic trails, the informational kiosk sign, the picnic tables-these all came about due to Bill’s relentless passion for the development of this historic park for the benefit of residents and tourists.
He worked tirelessly with the City, the Army, the Native American groups and the two adjacent neighborhoods-Old Town and New Monterey-to make sure all the improvements met the requirements of the public agencies and would benefit visitors for years to come.
The beautiful park we have today is primarily due to Bill.”
Bill Wojtkowski, Old Monterey Foundation
View the Monterey Herald online memorial for Willard P. (Bill) McCrone
To donate to Old Monterey Foundation in memory of Bill McCrone, please click the button below. Thank you for your support!
March 21, 2020 Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour to focus on Sebastián Vizcaíno – Discovery of the Monterey Bay
Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon. Old Monterey Foundation recently installed a monument sign on Pacific Street to make it even easier to find the park.
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020: Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Focus on Sebastián Vizcaíno – Discovery of the Monterey Bay.
Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork; turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.
The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10-15 years). Group rates are also available.
Old Monterey Foundation invites everyone to become a member of Friends of the Lower Presidio and make a tax-deductible donation to more quickly restore the park.
The City of Monterey Outreach Office has produced an informative short video about the Lower Presidio Historic Park and its significance to California and American history.
There are many major historic highlights of this site that Tim Thomas will discuss in depth over the coming months:
- Prehistoric archaeological presence of indigenous tribes tracing back 10,000 years.
- Spanish period that begins with the landing in 1602 of Sebastian Vizcaino, who discovered the Monterey Bay and named the land, “Monterey”, after the Viceroy of Mexico; followed by Father Junipero Serra and Gaspar de Portola in 1770; including the first El Castillo (Presidio) up through the Argentinian Hipolite Bouchard’s raid in 1818 when he attacked and sacked the City of Monterey, which is the only land and sea battle ever to occur on the West Coast of the United States.
- Mexican period (beginning in 1821 until the U.S. occupation, including the mistaken invasion in 1842 by Commodore Catesby-Jones, commanding the U.S. Pacific Squadron.
- In 1846, Commodore John Drake Sloat captured Monterey and El Castillo at the beginning of the Mexican American War.
- American/California period beginning in 1846, including the enactment of the first California Constitution in 1849 through the period that includes when Fort Mervine was a coastal defense and cavalry post.
- In 1866, Fort Mervine was abandoned by the Army.
- In 1901, reopening of the post by the Army as a cavalry and artillery garrison, and among its first units is the 9th Cavalry, the “Buffalo Soldiers”.
- Modern era from the turn of the century when the Presidio became primarily a military training facility in 1940.
- In 1940, the 11th Cavalry, Buffalo Soldiers and the last mounted regiment in Army history, departs to patrol the Mexican border. The Presidio then becomes a training post for civil administration officers being sent to occupied territory during World War II.
- In 1946, the Presidio becomes the Military Intelligence Service Language School, which evolves into the Defense Language Institute as it is known today.
For more information, call (831) 521-2313.
February 15 Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour to focus on Hippolyte Bouchard
Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon.
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020: Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Focus on Hippolyte Brouchard. Bouchard (January 15, 1780–January 4, 1837) was a French Argentine sailor and privateer who fought for France, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Pursuing the war of rebellion against Spain, Bouchard was the first Argentine to circumnavigate the world when he attacked the Spanish ciudad of Monterey, California, raised the Argentine flag and held the town for six days in November, 1818. This was the only land-sea battle fought on the West Coast of the United States. Argentina remembers him as the South American equivalent of our John Paul Jones.
Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork; turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.
The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10-15 years). Group rates are also available.
About The Lower Presidio Historic Park
January 18 Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Indigenous Tribes
Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon.
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020: Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Focus on the Indigenous Tribes. Tim Thomas will discuss the indigenous tribes who lived on the Central Coast of California and on the Lower Presidio Historic Park. For over 5000 years, this area was inhabited by the Rumsien/Ohlone. The Rumsien were the first to be seen and documented by the Spanish explorers of Northern California, as noted by Sebastian Vizcaíno when he reached Monterey in 1602.
Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork; turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.
The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10-15 years). Group rates are also available.
About The Lower Presidio Historic Park
December 21 Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: The 1842 Invasion of Monterey
Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon.
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, December 21st:
Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Focus on the 1842 Invasion of Monterey.Tim will discuss the mistaken invasion in 1842 by Commodore Catesby-Jones, commanding the U.S. Pacific Squadron and more about the intriguing history of the Lower Presidio.
Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork; turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.
The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10-15 years). Group rates are also available.
About The Lower Presidio Historic Park
About the Capture of Monterey
USS United States Commodore Jones’ flagship: USS United States
Date: October 19–20, 1842
Location: Monterey, Alta California, Mexico (now Monterey, California, United States)
Resul:t American victory
United States vs. Mexico
United States: Commodore Thomas Jones
Land: 50 Marines and 100 Sailors
Sea: 1 frigate 2 sloops-of-war 58 Soldiers
1 fort captured
Casualties and losses: None
The Capture of Monterey by the United States Navy and Marine Corps occurred in 1842. After hearing false news that war had broken out between the United States and Mexico, the commander of the Pacific Squadron Thomas ap Catesby Jones sailed from Lima, Peru with three warships to Monterey, California. The Americans’ objective was to take control of the capital city before a suspected British cession could be achieved.American forces included the frigate USS United States and the two sloops-of-war USS Dale and USS Cyane. The squadron arrived in Monterey Bay on October 19 and anchored. Commodore Jones sent his second in command Captain James Armstrong ashore to demand a Mexican surrender by 9:00 am the following morning. The Mexican garrison consisted of only 58 men in an old fort who chose not to resist so when 9:00 am came, fifty American marines and 100 sailors landed and captured the city without incident. It wasn’t until the next day that Commodore Jones learned that war had not begun between the United States and Mexico and that the British were not preparing to take control of California. The Mexican troops were freed and the landing party boarded their ships and set sail, saluting the Mexican flag as they exited the harbor. Jones headed for Hawaii, which was just taken over by the British, and he helped restore the Kingdom of Hawaii. The incident proved unpopular in Mexico and in response Monterey’s garrison constructed shore batteries and other defenses to guard their city from future attack which came in 1846 during the Mexican War. Thomas ap Catesby Jones was relieved of duty though he eventually served in the war with Mexico.
Source: Wikipedia
New trail markers and signs at Lower Presidio Historic Park
The City of Monterey and Monterey Signs have installed new trailhead markers and interpretive signs at Lower Presition Historic Park. Trailhead markers were placed for visibility, lack of hazard/safety and easy access to groups of people near the signs.
About The Lower Presidio Historic Park
November 16 Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Sebástian Viscaíno in Monterey
Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon.
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, November 16th: Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Focus on Sebástian Viscaíno. Tim Thomas will focus on West Coast Explorer, Sebastian Viscaino. In 1602, the Spaniard Sebastián Vizcaíno explored California’s coastline as far north as Monterey Bay where he put ashore. He ventured inland south along the coast and recorded a visit to what is likely Carmel Bay. His major contributions to the state’s history were the glowing reports of the Monterey area as an anchorage and as land suitable for settlement, as well as the detailed charts he made of the coastal waters (which were used for nearly 200 years).
There are new signs on Pacific Street and Lighthouse providing direction to the Presidio Museum and Park. Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork;, turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.
The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10-15 years). Group rates are also available.
Old Monterey Foundation Sponsors Walking Tours for Teachers and Local Students
Old Monterey Foundation is offering teachers and students throughout Monterey County the opportunity to schedule a weekday visit to the Lower Presidio Historic Park with a class walking tour conducted by historian Tim Thomas. We may also be able to help arrange reduced cost bus transportation for the visiting class. The park is walkable from downtown Monterey and Colton Hall with ample parking for buses.
Old Monterey Foundation also continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas to offer outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” for the public on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon
A recent class tour by instructor Karen Levy of Robert Down brought about 24 students and 6 chaperones to the Park. According to Levy, “Our visit to Colton Hall was both informative and engaging. Our docent was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting facts about California’s rich history. Students enjoyed the walking tour around the inside of Colton Hall, interacting with period-era clothing, as well as viewing copies of the original documents signed at this very site many years ago. My students and chaperones thoroughly enjoyed the walking tour of the Lower Presidio Historic Park. Tim possesses a plethora of knowledge about California’s history and he shared many fascinating stories with my students; especially those involving Monterey. Tim’s personal ties to the area and his passion for history shone through during his presentation. My students appreciated the Museum tour as well as the ability to be outside and enjoy the new Path of History walk around the park at the Presidio.”
If a teacher would like to arrange a class tour at the Lower Presidio Historic Park, please call Wendy Brickman at 831-633-4444 or email brickman@brickmanmarketing.com.
About The Lower Presidio Historic Park
There are new signs on Pacific Street and Lighthouse providing direction to the Presidio Museum and Park. Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork;, turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
October 19 Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: From Serra to Sloat
Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon.
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2019: Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: From Serra to Sloat. Tim Thomas will discuss the overall history of the fascinating Lower Presidio Historic Park from Saint Serra to Commodore Sloat.
There are new signs on Pacific Street and Lighthouse providing direction to the Presidio Museum and Park. Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork;, turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.
Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.
The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for kids (10-15 years). Group rates are also available.
About The Lower Presidio Historic Park
California History Room Monterey Public Library
Old Monterey Foundation 